| 释义 |
† sarˈdonian, a. and n. Obs.
Also 6 sardenian. See also Sardinian a. 2.
[f. L. sardoni-us + -an.
The Latin adj. is ad. Gr. σαρδόνιος Sardinian, which in late Gr. was substituted for σαρδάνιος (Homer, etc.; of obscure origin), as the descriptive epithet of bitter or scornful laughter; the motive of the substitution was the notion that the word had primary reference to the effects of eating a ‘Sardinian plant’ (L. herba Sardonia or Sardōa), which was said to produce facial convulsions resembling horrible laughter, usually followed by death.]
A. adj. = sardonic a.
1586Bright Melanch. xvii. 99 The perturbations of melancholie are..sometimes merry in apparaunce, through a kinde of Sardonian, and false laughter. 1589Greene Menaphon (Arb.) 62 Haue you fatted me so long with Sardenian smiles, that..I might perish in your wiles? 1596Spenser F.Q. v. ix. 12 And with Sardonian smyle Laughing on her, his false intent to shade. 1620Bp. Hall Hon. Mar. Clergy iii. vi. 282 It is then but a Sardonian laughter that my Refuter takes vp at our complete Antichrist. 1742Hume Ess. xiv. (1825) 123 This unprovoked piece of rusticity..caused no farther resentment in Philip than to excite a Sardonian smile. 1794[T. Taylor] Pausanias' Descr. Greece III. 149 Homer first, and others after him, call laughter, which conceals some noxious design, Sardonian.
†B. n. One who flatters with deadly intent.
App. alluding to the ‘Sardinian plant’ (see the etymological note above) which was said to kill by exciting laughter. Cf. quot. s.v. sardoin a.
1609Bp. Barlow Answ. Nameless Cath. 254 His nature is too..noble, to be a Sardonian: Fawning and Crouching hee leaues to such base bone-gnawers as Fa. Parsons. |